2026 Best Value Education Philosophy Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Education Philosophy doctoral degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 83 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Teaching Degree Search reviewed schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Education Philosophy Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Loyola University Chicago tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Education Philosophy doctoral degree schools in the United States. Set in Chicago, IL, Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,710. Loyola University Chicago Education Philosophy students take on a median of $23,521 in debt. Median earnings reach $71,530 ten years out. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted. See the full Loyola University Chicago profile
You'll get strong value at Washington State University, which ranked #2 this year. Washington State University is a public school based in Pullman, WA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Students borrow a median of $21,903 to complete their Education Philosophy program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $68,905 ten years after entry. Set against $21,903 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 87% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Washington State University report
Out of the 83 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of Utah landed the #3 spot. Set in Salt Lake City, UT, University Of Utah is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete their Education Philosophy program here. Median earnings reach $67,170 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah has an acceptance rate of 86%. More on University Of Utah
You'll get strong value at Teachers College At Columbia University, which ranked #4 this year. Set in New York, NY, Teachers College At Columbia University is a private not-for-profit institution. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $73,294. Read the full report on Teachers College At Columbia University
You'll get strong value at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #5 this year. Based in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign Education Philosophy students take on a median of $20,778 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $81,054. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign has an acceptance rate of 42%. See the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign profile
University Of Arkansas offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. University Of Arkansas is a public school based in Fayetteville, AR. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Graduates carry a median of $24,019 in student loans. Median earnings reach $58,191 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%. Read more about University Of Arkansas
University Of Iowa offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. Based in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Typical Education Philosophy student debt is $24,463. University Of Iowa alumni report median earnings of $64,762 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%. Get the full University Of Iowa report
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Education Philosophy schools. Based in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. The median Education Philosophy program debt is $21,813. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $73,792. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Madison report
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Education Philosophy schools. Set in New Brunswick, NJ, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Rutgers University New Brunswick Education Philosophy students take on a median of $25,120 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $74,479 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Rutgers University New Brunswick
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Based in Cincinnati, OH, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Typical Education Philosophy student debt is $23,530. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,810 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%. See the full University Of Cincinnati Main Campus profile
Indiana University Bloomington offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Based in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. The median Education Philosophy program debt is $20,542. Indiana University Bloomington alumni report median earnings of $63,742 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,542 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants. Read more about Indiana University Bloomington
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Located in Norman, OK, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Typical Education Philosophy student debt is $23,138. Median earnings reach $63,126 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%. More on University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
University At Buffalo came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Buffalo, NY. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. Median earnings reach $70,814 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants. Read the full report on University At Buffalo
Syracuse University landed the #14 spot for value in the United States this year. Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit school based in Syracuse, NY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,528. The median Education Philosophy program debt is $26,130. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $79,164. That is a strong return on a $26,130 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%. See the full Syracuse University profile
University Of Toledo came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. Based in Toledo, OH, University Of Toledo is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,157, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. The median Education Philosophy program debt is $24,923. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,632. That is a strong return on a $24,923 median debt. About 92% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of Toledo
Kent State University At Kent landed the #16 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Kent, OH, Kent State University At Kent is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. The median Education Philosophy program debt is $25,174. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kent State University At Kent has an acceptance rate of 86%. Read the full report on Kent State University At Kent
University Of New Mexico Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. Set in Albuquerque, NM, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Typical Education Philosophy student debt is $19,738. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $44,792. That is a strong return on a $19,738 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Michigan State University landed the #18 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in East Lansing, MI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete their Education Philosophy program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $67,253 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,213 median debt. Michigan State University has an acceptance rate of 85%. Get the full Michigan State University report
University Of Oregon placed #19 among the best-value Education Philosophy schools in the United States. This public school is set in Eugene, OR. Students from in state pay about $15,320 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. Typical Education Philosophy student debt is $22,034. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $61,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%. Get the full University Of Oregon report
University Of Colorado Boulder placed #20 among the best-value Education Philosophy schools in the United States. This public school is set in Boulder, CO. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,373 to complete their Education Philosophy program here. Median earnings reach $69,738 ten years out. Set against $20,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants. More on University Of Colorado Boulder
University Of South Carolina Columbia offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Located in Columbia, SC, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,298 for out-of-state students. University Of South Carolina Columbia Education Philosophy students take on a median of $24,472 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $62,177. Set against $24,472 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of South Carolina Columbia
Lehigh University landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Lehigh University report
Loyola University Baltimore placed #23 among the best-value Education Philosophy schools in the United States. See the full Loyola University Baltimore profile
Northwestern University landed the #24 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Northwestern University
Northern Illinois University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Education Philosophy schools. See the full Northern Illinois University profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Education Philosophy Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Southern Connecticut State University ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Education Philosophy schools. Read more about Southern Connecticut State University
University Of The Pacific came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. See the full University Of The Pacific profile
George Mason University landed the #28 spot for value in the United States this year. More on George Mason University
Northern Kentucky University landed the #29 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Northern Kentucky University profile
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Education Philosophy schools. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee report
University Of Pennsylvania placed #31 among the best-value Education Philosophy schools in the United States. Read the full report on University Of Pennsylvania
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #32 among the best-value Education Philosophy schools in the United States. More on University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
University Of Hawaii At Manoa ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Education Philosophy schools. Read more about University Of Hawaii At Manoa
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Education Philosophy schools. See the full University Of California Los Angeles profile
Transylvania University offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. Read more about Transylvania University
University Of St Thomas Texas offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. Get the full University Of St Thomas Texas report
Eastern Washington University came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. See the full Eastern Washington University profile
Drury University
Drury University placed #38 among the best-value Education Philosophy schools in the United States. Get the full Drury University report
Georgia State University landed the #39 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Georgia State University report
San Francisco State University landed the #40 spot for value in the United States this year. More on San Francisco State University
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on University Of Northern Iowa
California State University Los Angeles came in at #42 in this year's value ranking. See the full California State University Los Angeles profile
Florida State University placed #43 among the best-value Education Philosophy schools in the United States. Read more about Florida State University
Amherst College
Amherst College offered strong value this year, earning the #44 position. Read the full report on Amherst College
University Of California Riverside landed the #45 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on University Of California Riverside
Depaul University placed #46 among the best-value Education Philosophy schools in the United States. More on Depaul University
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #47 among the best-value Education Philosophy schools in the United States. Get the full Columbia University In The City Of New York report
Bard College At Simons Rock ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best-value Education Philosophy schools. Read more about Bard College At Simons Rock
Hope International University came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. More on Hope International University
University Of St Thomas Minnesota placed #50 among the best-value Education Philosophy schools in the United States. More on University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Related Education Philosophy Value Rankings
See value rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Value Education Philosophy Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Education Philosophy Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Education Philosophy Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Education Philosophy Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Education Philosophy Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Education Philosophy Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Education Philosophy Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Teaching Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 83 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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